Roof Leak Between the Framing & Cinder Blocks

Interior Troubleshooting

• Leaks that enter your home through the roof could occur in areas above or beside the location of seepage into the wall area. Examine the underside of the roof from inside your attic. Look for water trails that run along the sides of rafters. Begin looking near the framing beside the area where the water emerges into your wall. These water trails may appear lighter or darker than the surrounding wood. Check along any plumbing vents or chimney outlets for dried water trails. Examine the underside of the roof on a sunny day by turning off your attic light or flashlight and looking for any small holes that allow light to shine through the roof.

Exterior Examination

• If an interior check fails to produce obvious areas of leaks within the accessible portion of your attic, you need to examine the exterior surface of your roof. Begin looking directly above the leak. Check for any pipes, vents, cables or other fixtures that exit your roof. These are the most common sources of roof leaks. Look for lifted shingles near the rain gutters.

Causes

• Improperly sealed vents and pipes can cause water to leak into the gaps between your walls. Ice dams in the gutters can cause water to back up beneath the shingles. Holes that emerge through the exterior cinder blocks may also allow water to travel through walls. Check the integrity of the mortared joints between the cinderblocks below the eaves. Crumbling mortar may allow water to enter your wall area, creating a leak that appears to come from your roof.

Repairs

• Repair any obvious areas of potential leaks. Replace missing or damaged vent hoods. Clean out gutters and replace torn or lifted shingles. Repair any damaged mortar in the joints between your cinder blocks. If you are unable to find obvious cause, caulk around areas where cables and pipes exit your roof. Peel away any old caulking. Apply fresh silicone caulking around the edges of pipes and cables. Press the caulking into any cracks or crevices to create a tight seal.